BT supports more than 12,000 jobs in Wales, according to a new economic impact study.
Research from consultancy firm Hatch, shows the communications and technology company supported 1 in every 70 workers in the Welsh private sector during the last financial year.
BT Group directly employs nearly 5,000 (4,560) people in Wales, making it one of the nation’s biggest private sector employers.
It supports a further 4,560 in its Welsh supply chain, while the induced impact of employee expenditure supports a further 2,900, giving a total impact of 12,200.
The report estimates that those directly employed by BT Group in Wales received £146m in salaries.
The group also spent £340m with suppliers based in Wales in financial year 2019/20, which also resulted in significant benefits for the Welsh economy.
The combined impact of BT Group’s activities in Wales contributes almost £1bn (£971m) to the Welsh economy, according to the analysis.
The report includes the contribution of all parts of BT Group, including Openreach and mobile network provider EE.
Nick Speed, BT Group’s director in Wales, said: “I’m really proud of the contribution our colleagues make in supporting the Welsh economy. At an important time for the economy and jobs, our spending on people, networks and suppliers, provides a vital economic boost across Wales. The wider impact of that spending helps to sustain communities and small businesses in all parts of Wales.
“The challenges posed by Covid-19 have highlighted the vital role BT Group plays in supporting families, businesses and communities across Wales. I’m proud also of the role our people are playing in supporting the NHS in Wales during the crisis.”
Ian Price, CBI Wales director, said: “Covid-19 has undoubtedly changed the way we live and work over the past twelve months, and companies like BT have been at the forefront of keeping us in touch with friends, colleagues and loved ones during an extremely challenging period. This year, perhaps more than at any other time, we have come to understand the true value of connectivity.
“Even amid these trying circumstances, it’s great to see just how significantly BT has invested in Wales and its communities. The scale of that investment is enormous and its value and impact can be felt in high quality local jobs, economic growth and across supply chains the length and breadth of Wales.”
Tim Fanning, director at Hatch, said: “Our analysis underlines how vast BT Group’s contribution is to the UK economy as a whole as well as to individual communities in the nations and regions. Its presence across the country generates significant further activity and investment, supporting many thousands of jobs.”
